INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Margaret R. Phillips, 86, of Rumford, passed away on Dec. 31, 2005, in Indianapolis, Ind.

Formerly of 312 Franklin St., she had resided at Westminster Village North for the past five years. She died of complications due to a stroke, after a long courageous battle with Alzheimer’s.

She was born in Rumford, on Feb. 7, 1919, the sixth of eight, of Ashley and Annie Rafuse. Her parents had migrated from Parkdale, Nova Scotia, in 1905.

In her early years, she made a commitment of faith in Jesus Christ. While still attending high school, she began teaching Sunday School and singing in the choir at the First Baptist Church. She taught Sunday School and sang in the choir for over 50 years. As a high school student she enjoyed singing in the operetta, “The Pirates of Penzance.” She was a serious student and she graduated 10th in the Stephens High School class of 1936.

On July 7, 1936, she married her high school sweetheart, Kenneth Murdock Phillips. She devoted herself to her faith, family, friends, and love of Christian music. She was often “recruiting” for the choir.

She was employed as a bookkeeper for Rafuse Oil Co. for 35 years. She raised her children and when time allowed, she enjoyed sewing, woodworking, and photography. She encouraged her children and friends to pursue their inclinations to achieve. She especially enjoyed taking her family to Worthley Pond or Old Orchard Beach. She enjoyed her last visit to Old Orchard Beach in July of 2005, where she had a mini family reunion.

In here senior years, she continued to be active at her church, often driving distances to bring children to Sunday school. She encouraged people to sing; one such person was her granddaughter, Danielle, who developed as a vocalist, again singing of her faith.

After the death of her husband, she spent a few winters in Florida with her sister, Millie Clark. When she closed her home in Rumford, she began living with her daughter in Tucson and visiting with her five children throughout the year. She celebrated her 80th birthday with a trip to Maui with Douglas and his family. In 2000, she settled at Westminster Village North in Indianapolis.

She is survived by her six children, David Phillips, MD, and wife, Janice, of Stratham, NH, Donn Phillips, of Tucson, Ariz., Linda Phillips Miller and husband, James, of Indianapolis, Ind., Dean Phillips and wife, Betty, of Scio, NY, Douglas Phillips and wife, Davey, of South Lake Tahoe, Calif., and Margaret Ann Phillips, of Tucson, Ariz.; two sisters, Cecilia Shurtleff, of Gorham, and Charmaine Andrews, of Auburn; 13 grandchildren, David L Phillips II, MD., Dawn Mary Cyr, Deana Phillips Soper, Kenny Clements, Douglas Clements, Dennis Phillips, Dominique Phillips, Ashlee Miller, Danielle McCartney, Dean Phillips, Richard King, and Jason and Shawn Miller; several great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by a sister, Millie Mae Clark; and brothers, Harvey A., William S., George N., and Raymond I. Phillips.

Copy the Story Link